EP3620340A1 - Aerial cableway system, method for operating an aerial cableway system and pulley for an aerial cableway system - Google Patents

Abstract

The aerial cableway system (100) comprises a monitoring device (75), a conveying, pulling or carrying rope (101) and a plurality of rope pulleys (1a, 1b, 1c), at least some of the rope pulleys abutting the rope (101), at least one of the rope pulleys comprises a sensor for detecting a state variable, a control device, an electrical energy source and a wireless transmission device (56), and the sensor is connected to the monitoring device (75) via the control device and the wireless transmission device (56) for signal or data transmission.

Description

The invention relates to an aerial cableway system, a method for operating an aerial cableway system, and a pulley for an aerial cableway system.

State of the art

The safe and reliable operation of an aerial cableway system, for example a cable car or a cable car, is extremely demanding and also relatively expensive. On the one hand, considerable maintenance is required to ensure safe operation of the large number of moving parts. Nevertheless, it can happen that, for example, the wear of a system part is not recognized in time, which can result in an unforeseen business interruption or even an accident. In addition, aerial cableway systems are usually exposed to extreme weather conditions such as strong wind, storm, rain, snow, hail or frost. Despite excellent maintenance, it can happen that the prevailing weather conditions necessitate an operating restriction, that there is an unforeseen interruption in operation, or that damage or a total failure of the aerial cableway system occurs.

The document EP2384298B1 discloses a cable car cabin comprising a running gear with rollers, these rollers resting on a support rope. The drive comprises a guide device with guide shoes, the support cable running between these guide shoes. The drive also comprises a sensor arranged on the guide device, which measures the distance between the guide device and the surface of the support cable, in order to thereby recognize an unusual position of the support cable with respect to the guide device or with respect to a reference point of the cable car cabin. This device has the disadvantage that only emergency situations are recognizable in which the rope assumes an unusual or dangerous position with respect to the guide device of the cable car cabin. In addition, this device has the disadvantage that only the respective local distance between the surface of the suspension cable and the guide device or the cable car cabin can be detected. This device thus does not allow comprehensive monitoring of an aerial cableway system, but rather only allows the relative distance of the surface of the suspension cable to a reference point of the cable car cabin to be monitored.

Presentation of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to increase the operational safety of an aerial cableway system.

This object is achieved with an aerial cableway system having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims 2 to 5 relate to further advantageously designed aerial cableway systems. The object is further achieved with a method for operating an aerial cableway system having the features of claim 6. The dependent claims 7 to 12 relate to further advantageous method steps. The object is further achieved with a rope pulley having the features of claim 13. The dependent claims 14 to 15 relate to further advantageous configurations.

The object is achieved in particular with an aerial cableway system comprising a monitoring device, a conveying, pulling or supporting rope and a plurality of rope pulleys, at least some of the rope pulleys abutting the rope, at least one of the rope pulleys having a sensor for detecting a state variable, a control unit, comprises an electrical energy source and a wireless transmission device, and wherein the sensor is connected to the monitoring device via the control device and the wireless transmission device for signal or data transmission.

The object is further achieved in particular with a method for operating an aerial cableway system comprising a conveying, pulling or supporting rope and a plurality of rope pulleys, the rope resting on at least some of the rope pulleys, at least one of the rope pulleys comprising a sensor with which one State variable of the rope pulley is recorded, the state variable or a state value derived therefrom being transmitted wirelessly from the rope pulley to a monitoring device, and the aerial cableway system being monitored as a function of the state variable or the state value.

The object is further achieved in particular with a rope pulley for an aerial cableway system, the rope pulley comprising a running surface for a conveying, traction or support rope, the rope pulley comprising a sensor for detecting a state variable, a control device, an electrical energy source and a wireless transmission device , and wherein the sensor can be connected to a higher-level monitoring device via the control device and the wireless transmission device in a signal or data transmission manner.

In the following, a state variable is understood to mean in particular a physical measured value measured or detected by a sensor. The state quantity is also understood to mean a value derived from the physical measured value, for example, starting from the State variable with the aid of a control device, preferably a microcontroller, further processes the state variable and, in particular with the aid of algorithms and / or in particular taking into account further state variables and / or other available data, a state variable is calculated, which is also referred to as a state value derived from the state variable.

• Drehzahl der Seilrolle;
• Betrag und vorzugsweise auch Richtung einer auf die Seilrolle einwirkenden Kraft, vorzugsweise einer senkrecht bezüglich der Drehachse der Seilrolle einwirkenden Kraft und besonders vorteilhaft zudem auch einer quer zur Seilrolle, insbesondere einer in Verlaufsrichtung der Drehachse der Seilrolle einwirkenden Kraft, wobei die Kraft vorzugsweise als Vektor mit dessen Betrag und dessen dreidimensionalen Vektorrichtung erfasst oder berechnet wird;
• Abnutzung der Seilrolle, insbesondere eine Abnutzung eines Laufrings der Seilrolle;
• Vibration der Seilrolle, insbesondere zur Überprüfung eines Zustandes eines Lagers der Seilrolle;
• Temperatur der Seilrolle;
• Drehwinkel und/oder Rotationsgeschwindigkeit der Seilrolle in Funktion der Zeit;
• Schlupf zwischen Seilrolle und an der Seilrolle anliegendem Seil;
• Beschleunigung bzw. Schwingung der Seilrolle, insbesondere Schwingung um eine Lagerstelle, beispielsweise ein Wippenlager;
• Beschleunigung bzw. Schwingung einer Rollenbatterie an welcher Seilrollen angeordnet sind;
• GPS Signal zur Positionsbestimmung der Seilrolle;
• Videosignal oder Bildsignal eines an der Seilrolle angeordneten Bildgebers;
• Akustisches Signal eines an der Seilrolle angeordneten Mikrofons;
• Messung von am Seil anliegenden Kräften bei Wind, insbesondere durch Wind verursachte Querkräfte;
• Messung von am Seil anliegenden Kräften bei Windstille, insbesondere durch eine Mastsetzung verursachte Kräfte;
• Messung der auf die Seilrollen verursachten Kräfte, Vibrationen, oder Beschleunigungen verursacht durch ein über die Seilrollen fahrendes Fahrbetriebsmittel.

Known aerial cableway systems include a large number of pulleys, the condition of which could previously only be checked sporadically by means of a visual inspection. The rope pulley according to the invention comprises at least one sensor for detecting a state variable of the rope pulley, and comprises a wireless transmission device for transmitting the measured state variable or a state value derived therefrom to a monitoring device, which is preferably designed as a higher-level monitoring device, which is preferably located in a drive or end station , or for example in a control center for monitoring a plurality of aerial cableway systems. An aerial cableway system comprising at least one such rope pulley according to the invention, and preferably comprising a plurality of such rope pulleys, has the advantage that the condition of the rope pulleys can be monitored frequently, and preferably continuously, and that the condition quantity or a condition value derived therefrom on measured, objective values based. Preferably, not only a single state variable, but a plurality of state variables and advantageously also a plurality of different state variables are monitored in the rope pulley according to the invention. The temporal monitoring rate of the at least one status variable depends on the status variable to be monitored, the monitoring of the aerial cableway system preferably taking place at regular time intervals, for example every second, every minute, every hour, every day or every month. The monitoring can take place during the operation of the aerial cableway system, during which the rope pulleys are driven by the rope lying against the rope pulleys, so that these at least temporarily and preferably rotate continuously. However, the monitoring can also take place during a standstill of the rope 101, during which the rope pulleys 101 are held at a standstill by the attached rope 101. The monitoring can also take place outside the operating time of the aerial cableway system, during which at least some and preferably all of the rope pulleys stand still. At least one and preferably a plurality of the following state variables are suitable as the variable to be monitored, namely:

• Speed of the pulley;
• Amount and preferably also direction of a force acting on the rope pulley, preferably a force acting perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rope pulley and particularly advantageously also a force acting transversely to the rope pulley, in particular a force acting in the direction of the axis of rotation of the rope pulley, the force preferably being a vector the amount and the three-dimensional vector direction thereof are recorded or calculated;
• Wear of the rope pulley, in particular wear of a race of the rope pulley;
• Vibration of the rope pulley, in particular for checking a condition of a bearing of the rope pulley;
• Temperature of the pulley;
• Angle of rotation and / or speed of rotation of the pulley as a function of time;
• Slip between rope pulley and rope lying against the rope pulley;
• Acceleration or vibration of the rope pulley, in particular vibration around a bearing point, for example a rocker bearing;
• Acceleration or vibration of a roller battery on which rope pulleys are arranged;
• GPS signal for determining the position of the pulley;
• Video signal or image signal from an imager arranged on the rope pulley;
• Acoustic signal from a microphone arranged on the pulley;
• Measurement of forces on the rope in wind, in particular transverse forces caused by wind;
• Measurement of forces applied to the rope when there is no wind, in particular forces caused by mast setting;
• Measurement of the forces, vibrations or accelerations caused on the rope pulleys caused by driving equipment traveling over the rope pulleys.

An aerial cableway system usually comprises a large number of cable pulleys, for example supporting pulleys or hold-down rolls arranged on a mast, against which a cable, in particular a supporting cable or a pulling cable, rests. Such rope pulleys are usually arranged in groups in a roller battery. Rope rollers are also used as rollers, for example a cable car cabin of a cable car, such rollers resting on a supporting rope. Such rope pulleys can also be designed in accordance with the rope pulley according to the invention. Since the rope pulley according to the invention can preferably be configured identically or similarly to existing rope pulleys with regard to geometric properties such as the diameter or width of the tread, there is a simple way of replacing at least some of the existing rope pulleys of an aerial cableway system by rope pulleys according to the invention. An aerial cableway system can also include further rope pulleys according to the invention, for example a rope pulley on which a conveyor rope is deflected in a drive station or a counter station. The rope pulley according to the invention can thus be used at different points in an aerial cableway system. The rope pulley according to the invention has the advantage that it can be arranged in a very simple manner and at a wide variety of locations in the aerial cableway system, without having to lay any cables. In an advantageous embodiment, the rope pulley comprises an integrated electrical generator and / or a battery, and / or an energy store and / or solar cells as energy source in order to ensure the energy supply preferably in the long term, and preferably also when the rope pulley is at a standstill. Preferably, the electronic components arranged in the rope pulley, such as for example, are required Sensor, control unit, controller, processor and wireless transmission device use very little energy, so that the energy supply by a battery is ensured for a longer period of time, for example a month, without recharging. In one possible embodiment, the aerial cableway system also includes a vehicle for preferably wirelessly recharging the batteries of the rope pulleys. The use of the rope pulleys according to the invention does not require any, or preferably a negligibly small, additional effort in terms of installing the rope pulley according to the invention in an existing aerial cableway system, since the rope pulley does not have to be connected to cables. The rope pulley according to the invention also has the advantage that rope pulleys in use on the aerial cableway system can be replaced in a very simple manner by rope pulleys according to the invention. Existing rope pulleys and the rope pulleys according to the invention are advantageously designed externally or, in terms of the geometric dimension, are identical or almost identical. An existing cable car can therefore be inexpensively retrofitted with the cable pulleys according to the invention. From the point of view of a technician, therefore, only the existing rope pulleys are to be replaced by the rope pulleys according to the invention, without the technician having to take care of any connections and cables. For a technician, there is therefore no or a negligibly small additional effort when installing the rope pulley according to the invention. The rope pulleys according to the invention are preferably designed to be compatible with existing rope pulleys in terms of geometric dimensions, so that the operator of an aerial cableway system can freely decide which existing rope pulleys are to be replaced by rope pulleys according to the invention, without additional installation work being involved.

In the aerial cableway system according to the invention, the state variables of a plurality of rope pulleys are preferably recorded and monitored. The state variables of at least two rope pulleys are advantageously, and the state variables of a plurality of are particularly advantageous Rope pulleys are recorded and the state variable or a state value derived therefrom for each of the rope pulleys according to the invention is transmitted wirelessly to the monitoring device. In a roller battery, for example, the state variables of at least two rope pulleys belonging to the roller battery are advantageously monitored. The geometric configuration of the roller battery and the geometric arrangement of the rope roller according to the invention in the roller battery are advantageously known. This has the advantage that properties of the roller battery can also be monitored, for example forces and torques applied to the roller battery, in particular forces and torques acting transversely to the direction of the rope, which can be caused, for example, by attacking winds. Preferably, the forces and torques acting on the rope pulleys and roller batteries can also be used to monitor whether, for example in strong winds, safe operation of the aerial cableway is still guaranteed, or whether, for example, a predetermined limit value is exceeded at certain points on the aerial cableway. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the rope pulley according to the invention comprises a control device, for example designed as a microcontroller, which is connected between the sensor and the wireless transmission device. The microcontroller is preferably programmable and preferably has a signal processing device and a data memory in order to process the state variables measured by the sensor, for example to filter, weight and / or evaluate them, in order to determine a state variable derived from the measured state variables or at least one of generate the derived state value of the measured state variable, which is preferably forwarded to the monitoring device via the wireless transmission device.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the wireless transmission device allows two-way communication with the monitoring device or the control center, so that the cable pulley also signals and / or from the monitoring device of the aerial cableway system Can receive data and / or program code, so that the control unit of the pulley can preferably be controlled from the outside, in particular by the higher-level monitoring device, and is advantageously programmable. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the control unit is programmed in such a way that signal preprocessing, and for example a threshold value, is specified for at least one and preferably each state variable to be measured, and that the state variable or a state derived therefrom is only transmitted to the monitoring device when the State variable has or no longer has a predetermined property, for example in that the state variable exceeds or falls below the predetermined threshold value. This allows the data traffic or the data volume between the respective pulley and the monitoring device to be significantly reduced. Advantageously, methods for data reduction or for reducing the data to be transmitted are therefore already provided in the rope pulley. Another possibility for data reduction is that the data accumulating in the pulley is stored locally for a certain period of time, for example continuously for one hour, and is therefore stored locally, and that when an irregularity or an error is detected, e.g. a malfunction , or for detailed monitoring or analysis of the rope pulley, at least some of this locally stored data, for example at the request of the monitoring device or automatically by the rope pulley, preferably immediately after the detection of the fault, is transmitted to the monitoring device in order to be evaluated, analyzed and / or to be saved. A plurality of state variables recorded in the rope pulley or state values derived therefrom can also be transmitted as a function of time, for example vibration, acceleration, acoustic signals, images, rotational speed or rotational speed. These values are then available for further analyzes, for example for performing a spectrum analysis, for example those in the rope pulley measure existing energy, or also shocks, rope vibrations or movements of the rope pulley.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rope pulley according to the invention comprises a force sensor for measuring a force acting on the rope pulley, or a sensor for measuring an elastic deformation or elongation occurring on the rope pulley. Such a sensor can comprise, for example, a piezo crystal, a strain gauge, a glass fiber sensor or a glass linear.

In an advantageous embodiment, the rope pulley according to the invention comprises a GPS sensor, the coordinates of which can also be transmitted to the monitoring device. The monitoring device can thus automatically correctly determine the geographical position of those pulleys that have a GPS sensor. This has the advantage, for example, that a rope pulley can be replaced and that the monitoring device is then automatically able to recognize and determine the exact position of the rope pulley being replaced. It is therefore only necessary to replace a pulley, but without collecting detailed information about its location during assembly. In addition, a change in the position of the rope pulley can be detected, which occurs, for example, when a supporting mast supporting the rope pulley moves in the field.

The wireless signal transmission can be carried out using different technical means and preferably with the aid of electromagnetic waves, depending on the radio distance to be bridged, for example by means of Bluetooth, WLAN, a wireless local area network, a mesh network, a modulated light beam or via a digital mobile radio network such as GSM.

The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

• Fig. 1 eine Seitenansicht einer Seilrolle;
• Fig. 2 einen Schnitt durch die Seilrolle gemäss Figur 1 entlang der Schnittlinie A-A;
• Fig. 3 eine Detailansicht der Figur 2;
• Fig. 4 eine Stirnansicht einer Seilrolle;
• Fig. 5 eine Seitenansicht einer Rollenbatterie;
• Fig. 6 eine Draufsicht der Rollenbatterie gemäss Figur 5;
• Fig. 7 eine Seitenansicht eines Fahrwerks einer Luftseilbahn;
• Fig. 8 schematisch eine Luftseilbahnanlage;
• Fig. 9 einen Schnitt durch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiels einer Seilrolle;
• Fig. 10 eine Darstellung der gemessenen Umdrehungszahl einer Seilrolle und des daraus abgeleiteten Rollendurchmessers in Funktion der Zeit.

The drawings used to explain the exemplary embodiments show:

• Fig. 1 a side view of a pulley;
• Fig. 2 a section through the pulley Figure 1 along the section line AA;
• Fig. 3 a detailed view of the Figure 2 ;
• Fig. 4 an end view of a pulley;
• Fig. 5 a side view of a roller battery;
• Fig. 6 a plan view of the roller battery according to Figure 5 ;
• Fig. 7 a side view of a trolley of an aerial cableway;
• Fig. 8 schematically an aerial cableway system;
• Fig. 9 a section through a further embodiment of a pulley;
• Fig. 10 a representation of the measured number of revolutions of a pulley and the derived pulley diameter as a function of time.

In principle, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols in the drawings.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a pulley 1, Figure 2 a longitudinal section through the pulley 1 according to Figure 1 along the section line AA, and Figure 3 a detailed view of the upper part of the pulley 1 according to Figure 2 , in addition a supporting, pulling or conveying rope 101 resting against the rope pulley 1 is shown. This rope pulley 1 is particularly suitable for use as a carrying roller or as a hold-down roller in aerial cableway systems in order to carry or guide a conveying rope, a carrying rope or a pull rope 101 of the aerial cableway system. However, this pulley 1 is also suitable as a roller for an aerial cableway vehicle. The pulley 1 includes one Roller body 2, which is preferably made of a metal, for example aluminum. Arranged along the outer circumferential surface of the roller body 2 is a running ring 3 running along the entire circumferential surface, which is preferably laterally delimited on both sides by a flanged disc 4, with a retaining ring 5 preferably being arranged between the reel body 2 and the flanged disc 4 in order to hold the flanged disc 4 securely . The race 3 is preferably made of rubber or a plastic, and has a tread 3a oriented towards the outside, which, as in FIG Figure 2 shown, preferably in the central region has a recess designed as a roller groove 3b, in order to guide a rope lying against the rope roller 1 preferably in a centered manner. The cable pulley 1 also comprises a fixed bearing part 8 having a bore 10, and also comprises two ring-shaped ball bearings 6, 7, and comprises a sleeve 9 on both sides, these parts forming a cable pulley bearing 13, via which the pulley body 2 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 11 or at an in Figure 4 shown bolt 12 is mounted. The ball bearing 6 is shown in a side view, whereas the ball bearing 7 is shown in section.

In the exemplary embodiment shown, the roller body 2 comprises a first roller body part 2a, a connecting web 2b and a second roller body part 2c, so that the roller body has a first recess 2d and a second recess 2e. These recesses 2d, 2e are suitable for receiving further components of the rope pulley 1, for example sensors, batteries, etc. The roller body 2 shown is preferably configured in one piece or in one piece and is preferably manufactured as a casting. The roller body 2 could also be designed as a hollow body having an inner cavity, so that the further components mentioned could also be arranged, for example, in the inner cavity of the roller body 2 or on an outside of the roller body 2. The rope pulley 1 according to the invention comprises at least one sensor 53 for detecting a state variable Z, a control device 50 and a wireless transmission device 56 Wireless transmission device 56 is connected to a higher-level monitoring device 75 (not shown) in a wireless and signal or data-transmitting manner. During the operation of the rope pulley 1 according to the invention, the control unit 50 detects a state variable Z measured by the sensor 53, the state variable Z preferably being continuously recorded if the state variable Z is, for example, the temperature of the race 3, for example every second, and the control unit 50 the State variable Z or a state value Z _W derived therefrom is transmitted to the monitoring device 75 via the wireless transmission device 56.
The rope pulley 1 also comprises an energy source 51, which is required at least for the operation of the control device 50 and the wireless transmission device 56. The energy source 51 is preferably designed as a battery. The energy source 51 is particularly advantageously designed as a rechargeable battery, which can be recharged wirelessly, for example, by inductive charging. In a further possible embodiment, the cable pulley 1 can comprise an electric generator, in that the energy source 51 comprises, for example, a permanent magnet 51a fixedly arranged on the tube piece 8 and a coil 51b arranged fixedly on the pulley body 2, the permanent magnet 51a and the coil 51b being arranged mutually in such a way that a voltage is induced in the coil, which serves as energy source 51, or which is preferably used to charge the battery of energy source 51. Since the rope pulley 1 is set in rotation via the adjacent rope during operation of the aerial cableway system, this embodiment has the advantage that the rope pulley 1 is at least always supplied with electrical energy as long as the adjacent rope is moved. However, the energy source 51 of the rope pulley 1 preferably also comprises a battery, so that the control device 50 and the wireless transmission device 56 can also be operated when the rope pulley 1 is at a standstill. A supercapacitor, also referred to as a supercap or ultracap, is also suitable as the energy source 51.

The rope pulley 1 according to the invention comprises at least one sensor 53, and preferably a plurality of sensors. The sensor 53 is preferably designed as a force sensor for measuring a force or as a sensor for measuring an elongation. The in the Figures 1 to 3 Sheave 1 shown comprises at least three and preferably six strain gauges, wherein, as in Figure 1 3, three strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e are attached to the connecting web 2b of the roller body 2, running in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation 11, and are arranged in the circumferential direction to be mutually evenly spaced. The three strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e can in particular detect an expansion in a direction radial to the axis of rotation 11. In addition, more than three strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e could also be arranged. The signals from the three strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e are fed to a strain gauge bridge circuit, which is part of the control unit 50. The control device 50 preferably also detects the angle of rotation of the cable pulley 1, for example with the aid of a sensor 53 designed as a rotation angle transmitter. The control device 50 is preferably designed such that a force F acting on the cable pulley 1 can measure both its total amount and its partial forces in a two-dimensional direction, preferably divided into a partial force in the X direction and a partial force in the Y direction. Preferably, the rope pulley 13 comprises additional strain gauges 53f, 53g, 53h, which, as from Figure 2 can be seen on the back of the connecting web 2b, opposite the strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e are arranged. This arrangement of the strain gauges 53f, 53g, 53h makes it possible, together with the strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e, to measure a bend in the connecting web 2b, which has the advantage that, in addition to the total amount, an acting force F also has its partial forces in a three-dimensional direction, this means that their partial forces can be measured in the X direction, in the Y direction and also in the Z direction, the Z direction preferably running in the direction of the axis of rotation 11.

In the embodiment according to the Figures 1 to 3 the energy source 51, the control device 50 and a connecting line 55 between the control device 50 and the energy source 51 are arranged in the second recess 2e of the roller body 2. The wireless transmission device 56 is arranged in the first recess 2d. For better signal transmission, the wireless transmission device 56 or at least its antennas can also be arranged outside the first recess 2d. Preferably, the cable pulley 1 has laterally arranged covers which close the first and second recesses 2d, 2e to the outside, preferably close in a watertight manner.

Instead of the strain gauges shown or in addition to the strain gauges shown, the rope pulley 1 according to the invention can comprise further sensors 53, for example a vibration sensor 53i, which detects, for example, the vibrations of the second roller body part 2c, or, for example, as in FIG Figure 3 shown, two proximity sensors 53a, 53b arranged on both sides in the flanged disk 4, which measure the distance between flanged disk 4 and cable 101. In addition, the contact of the flanged wheel 4 by the cable 101 can be measured by measuring the impedance of the cable 101 with respect to earth or ground using a corresponding sensor 53. It can also prove to be advantageous to detect the state of the race 3 with a sensor 53k, for example in which a wire 53k running in the circumferential direction is inserted below the surface of the race 3, which wire interrupts when the race 3 is worn out and therefore no longer is continuously electrically conductive. A pressure sensor 53m could also be arranged in the race 3, for example, which measures the force acting in the radial direction at different positions in the direction of rotation of the axis of rotation 11 and from which the position of the cable 101 on the running surface 3a in the Z direction can preferably be determined, the Sensor 53k or 53m could also have inductive loops which can detect the position of the cable 101 in order to thereby detect the position of the cable 101 in the direction of the axis of rotation 11. At least it could a temperature sensor can be arranged in the cable pulley 1, for example on or in the race 3, in order to detect the temperature of the cable pulley 1. A GPS sensor 531 is particularly advantageously provided as a further sensor 53, with which the exact geographic position of the cable pulley 1 can be detected.

Figure 4 shows an end view of the pulley 1 and in section a rocker 21 and a bolt 12 with nut 12a, the pulley 1 being releasably connected to the rocker 21 via the bolt 12. The rope pulley 1 according to the invention has the advantage that it can be replaced in a simple manner and therefore very efficiently and inexpensively. Since all sensors 53 are integrated in the rope pulley 1, no further measures, such as, for example, setting and adapting sensors arranged outside the rope pulley 1, are required when replacing the rope pulley 1. In addition, the sensors 53 arranged inside the cable pulley 1 or in the first and second recesses 2e, 2e are very well protected against weather influences and / or contamination, so that these sensors work reliably and maintenance-free in the long term.

Figure 5 shows a side view and Figure 6 a plan view of a roller battery 20 of a cable car. The roller battery 20 shown comprises four rope rollers 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, against which a conveyor rope 60 rests a chairlift or gondola lift. The roller battery 20 comprises a main rocker 23 with a main rocker bearing 24 with a main rocker bearing axis of rotation 24a, and comprises two rockers 21 with a rocker bearing 22 and a rocker bearing axis of rotation 22a, two rope pulleys 1 being rotatably mounted on each rocker 21 about a respective axis of rotation 11. The main rocker bearing 24 is held by a support or a mast 25. At least one of the rope pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d of the roller battery 20 is designed as a rope pulley 1 according to the invention comprising a sensor 53, a control device 50 and a wireless signal transmission device 56. In a further advantageous embodiment, at least the first and the last is in the direction of the conveyor cable 60 Rope pulley 1a, 1d designed according to the rope pulley 1 according to the invention.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a trolley 42 of a cable car cabin 40, the trolley 42 comprising four cable pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d used as rollers and a connecting means 43, the cable car cabin 40 being rotatably connected to the connecting means 43 via a support rod 41. The rope pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d rest on a support rope 61 and the undercarriage 42 is firmly connected to a pull rope 62. At least one of the rope pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d is designed in accordance with the rope pulley 1 according to the invention. The cable car cabin 40 preferably comprises a transmitting and receiving device 90 which is connected to the cable pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d in a wireless and data-transmitting manner. The cable car cabin 40 preferably transmits the data traffic to the monitoring device 75 via communication means, not shown in detail. The transmitting and receiving device 90 of the cable car cabin 40 can also be used to enable data exchange between the cable car cabin 40 and cable pulleys 101 arranged on supporting masts, for example by exchanging data with the cable pulley 101 while the cable car cabin 40 is passing by. The cable pulley 101 preferably comprises a memory with past, measured state values Z or state variable Z _W , it being possible, for example, during the passage or the passage of the cable car cabin 40, to transmit this past data to the cable car cabin 40, so that ultimately a selection or all the state values Z or state variables Z _W measured by a rope pulley 101 can be transmitted from the cable car cabin 40 to the monitoring device 75 or can be transmitted. Such a batch-wise collection of the state values Z or state variables Z _W measured by rope pulleys 101 with the aid of a driving device driving past an aerial cableway system has the advantage that the data can be reliably transmitted, since between the wireless signal transmission device 56 of the rope pulley 1 and the transmitting and Receiving device 90 of the driving equipment cannot be covered over great distances while driving past. This eliminates the need for an expensive data transmission network.

Figure 8 schematically shows an aerial cableway system 100 comprising a drive station 70, a counter station 80 and a conveyor cable 60, 101 running between them. The aerial cableway system 100 comprises a plurality of the cable pulleys 1a, 1b, 1c according to the invention, each of which comprises, among other things, a wireless signal transmission device 56. The support masts 25, the roller batteries 20 and other existing rope pulleys 1 are not shown in detail. The aerial cableway system 100 transmits the data of the cable reels 1a, 1b, 1c to a transmitting and receiving device 90, which is part of a digital GSM mobile radio network, for example. A transmitting and receiving device 90 could also be arranged on at least some of the supporting masts, the transmitting and receiving device 90 arranged on the supporting masts being connected to the monitoring device 75 via a cable, for example. This means that the wireless transmission distance is very short and energy-saving transmission methods such as WLAN could be used. The transmitted data are fed to a monitoring device 75 via a signal or data line 74. The drive station 70 comprises a main control device 71 which, among other things, controls the drive 72 for driving the conveyor cable 60. The monitoring device 75 exchanges data with the main control device 71.

In the Figure 8 The illustrated monitoring device 75 can also exchange data between further aerial cableway systems 100 via corresponding transmitting and receiving devices 90, so that the monitoring device 75 can also monitor a plurality of aerial cableway systems 100.

The method for operating an aerial cableway system 100 comprising a conveying, pulling or carrying rope 101 and a plurality of rope pulleys 1, wherein the rope 101 is in contact with at least some of the rope pulleys 1 and this drives such that at least one of the rope pulleys 1 includes a sensor 53 with which a state variable Z of the rope pulley 1 is detected, that the state quantity Z or a state value Z _W derived therefrom is wireless is transmitted from the pulley 1 to a monitoring device 75 and that the aerial cableway system 100 is monitored as a function of the state variable Z or the state value Z _W.

Advantageously, at least one force acting on the pulley 1 is recorded as state variable Z.

The cable pulley 1 has an axis of rotation 11, with state variables Z of this type being recorded particularly advantageously, for example with strain gauges, such that a force acting on the cable pulley 1, preferably in the direction of the axis of rotation 11 acting on the cable pulley 1, or a transverse force as State value Z _{W is} determined. Thus, for example, transverse forces caused by the wind acting on the rope pulley, or transverse forces or torques acting on a roller battery can also be measured. The state variables Z can be measured during the operation of the aerial cableway system 100 as well as when it is at a standstill, and in particular also when the aerial cableway system 100 is out of operation. It is thus possible, for example, to measure the forces caused by winds at night, for example, when the aerial cableway system 100 is out of operation.

The rope pulley 1 preferably comprises a control device 50, the monitoring device, in an advantageous embodiment, providing the control device with a desired size for the status size Z or the status value Z _W , and the status size or the status value Z _W only being transmitted from the rope pulley to the monitoring device 75 becomes when the state variable or the state value Z _W deviates from the target quantity. For example, a target transverse force or a target temperature can be used as the target variable are predetermined, the control device 50, the state variable or the state value Z _W only then transmitted to the monitoring device 75 when the measured state variable respectively differs the state value Z _W from the desired size or, for example, exceeding.

At least one rope pulley 1 and preferably several rope pulleys can comprise an acceleration sensor 53. The measured state variable Z can be used, for example, to monitor mechanical properties of the pulley 1, for example the state of the annular bearing 6, 7. In addition, on the basis of the state variable Z, mechanical properties of the roller battery can be determined from a plurality of rope rollers arranged on a common roller battery.

Advantageously, at least some of the rope pulleys each comprise a GPS sensor for detecting the respective rope pulley position, the rope pulley positions being transmitted to the monitoring device 75.

For example, the speed of the rope pulley 1 is measured as the state variable. The speed or the speed of rotation of a rope pulley can be detected, for example, by means of a single one of the strain gauges 53c, 53d, 53e, by detecting the highest value in the recurring measurement signal, which corresponds to the position of the rope pulley with the highest acting force. Since the strain gauge 53c also rotates with the rope pulley 1, the greatest force occurs at the point at which the supporting rope 101 bears against the rope pulley 1 and the strain gauge 53c is oriented toward the supporting rope 101. The speed of the rope pulley can be calculated from the period of this measurement signal with the highest value.

In an advantageous method, the difference between the circumferential speed of the roller groove 3b or the running surface 3a of the rope pulley 1 and the movement speed of the rope 101 can thus be calculated from the measured speed, given a known outer diameter of the race 3 are also referred to as slip, in that the speed of the cable 101 known to the drive station 70 is compared with the peripheral speed of a respective cable pulley 1, so that the current slip can be calculated for the respective cable pulley 1.

In an advantageous method, a change in diameter of the race 3 can be calculated from the measured speed, if there is no slippage, that is, a derived state value Z _{W is} calculated from the measured state variable Z by measuring the speed at a first time T1 by measuring the speed at a second point in time T2, with a preferably relatively large period of time of, for example, at least one month between the two points in time T1, T2, and by calculating the reduction in the diameter of the tread 3a of the race 3 from the difference in speed becomes. Figure 10 shows an example of the course V1 of the speed (speed per minute) of a pulley 1 as a function of time (in months), and also shows the course V2 of the diameter of the race 3 as a function of time.
The course V2 or the calculation of the wear of the race 3 of a pulley 1 is based on the example according to Figure 10 explained in more detail. Assume the speed of the rope 101 is 6 m / s. The race 3 has a diameter of 450 mm when new, at time T1. The rope pulley 1 thus has a speed of about 254 revolutions per minute without slippage, strictly speaking 60 * 6 / (π * 0.45) = 254.6 revolutions / minute. Assuming that the rope pulley has a speed of 260 revolutions per minute without slippage at the second point in time T2 after 5 months, it can be calculated from this that the radius of the race 3 has been reduced by 5 mm or that the diameter of the race has decreased 3 reduced from 450 mm to 440 mm, strictly speaking 60 * 6 / (260 * π) = 440.7mm. The diameter of each race 3 of the rope pulley 1 according to the invention is advantageously monitored at preferably regular intervals, for example once a day or once a week. Preferably for each one Pulley 1, as in Figure 10 shown, the measured speed or the diameter of the race calculated from it is stored as a function of time, for example over a year. From the course of the diameter as a function of time is as in Figure 10 shown, for example the state of the race 3 of the individual rope pulley 1 can be seen, it can be estimated when this race 3 needs to be replaced or, if the course of the diameter should show an unusual change over time, it can be seen that the Race 3 has changed unusually quickly for some reason, so that race 3 is, for example, monitored more intensively or replaced. The measured state variables Z and / or the state values Z _W derived therefrom are preferably stored for at least some and advantageously for all rope pulleys 1 in order to keep track of the development of the measured state variables Z and / or the state values Z _W derived for each corresponding rope pulley 1 to have available to review.

Such a long-term monitoring as described above can be carried out for all measured state variables and derived state values by comparing the measured state variables and / or derived state values after certain time intervals and examining and assessing a change in these values.

In an advantageous method, especially in the case of a new rope pulley 1, the position of the rope 1 on the running surface 3b can be calculated from the measured speed, if there is no slippage. Due to the curvature of the tread 3a, as in Figure 3 shown, at a constant speed of the rope 101, the speed of the pulley 1 changes depending on the position of the rope 101 on the tread 3a. It can thus be calculated to what extent the cable 101 has shifted to the left or right on the running surface 3a. If the cable 101 moves back and forth along the running surface 3a in the direction of movement C, as in FIG Figure 9 illustrated this will cause fluctuations in the angular velocity of the pulley 1 at a constant speed of the cable 101. From this, for example, the smallest and the largest radius of the tread 3a can be calculated or estimated. In order to measure such a change in the angular velocity of the rope pulley 1, it is necessary to record a state variable, such as the angle of rotation of the rope pulley 1, several times during one revolution of the rope pulley 1.

The rope pulley 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageously arranged on a supporting pole 25 or on a roller battery 20 held by the supporting masts 25, so that in an advantageous method the state variable Z of a rope pulley 1 arranged on a supporting pole 25 or on the roller battery 20 of the supporting masts 25 is measured.

In an advantageous method, the cable pulley 1 is driven by the cable 101 and set in rotation, the state variable Z being recorded when the cable pulley 1 is rotating.

In a further advantageous method, the rope pulley 1 is held at a standstill because the rope 101 resting on the rope pulley 1 is stationary, so that the state variable Z is detected when the rope pulley 1 is stationary.

In an advantageous method, the state variable Z is or the derived state value Z _W are measured at a first time T1 and a second time T2, wherein the change in the state variable Z is the derived state value Z _W is respectively monitored in function of time.

In an advantageous method, the time difference between the first and the second point in time T1, T2 is at least one week and preferably one month, the derived state value Z _W comprising at least one of the following values, wear of the pulley 1, reduction of the diameter of a race 3 of the rope pulley 1, setting of a carrier 25.

In an advantageous method, driving equipment of the aerial cableway system 100 travels over the cable pulley 1, the state variable Z being measured at least when the cable pulley 1 is passed over, the cable pulley 1 being excited to drive over additional vibrations which are measured as the state quantity Z and evaluating their evaluation Can give an indication of the condition of the pulley 1.

Advantageously, the cable pulley 1 comprises a pulley body 2 with an axis of rotation 11, the pulley body 2 comprising a first pulley body part 2a and a second pulley body part 2c, the first and the second pulley body part 2a, 2c having a different diameter, the first and the second pulley body part 2a, 2c are connected to one another via a connecting web 2b, and the sensor 53 detects properties of the connecting web 2b as state variable Z, the sensor 53 being connected in particular to the connecting web 2b.

The rope pulley according to the invention or the aerial cableway system according to the invention thus allows a large number of parameters of the aerial cableway system to be monitored in a simple and cost-effective manner, and also enables the aerial cableway system to be controlled as a function of the measured parameters, for example by reducing the driving speed of the cable car cabin when the transverse forces on the Rope pulley of a mast, usually caused by attacking cross winds, exceed a predetermined threshold.

Figure 9 shows a section through a further embodiment of a rope pulley 1, wherein, as in Figure 3 , The upper half of the pulley 1 is shown, without the bearing 13. In contrast to the embodiment according to Figure 3 the roller body 2 is symmetrical with respect to a plane B running perpendicular to the axis of rotation 11 configured so that the first roller body part 2a, the connecting web 2b and the second roller body part 2c also run symmetrically with respect to the plane B. The roller body 2 essentially has a double-T-shaped cross section, with a connecting web 2b running perpendicular to the axis of rotation 11. The pulley 1 includes, as already in Figure 3 1, a race 3, two flanged washers 4 and two retaining rings 5. Two sensors 53, for measuring a force or a change in length of the connecting web 2b, are fastened to it and are preferably arranged symmetrically with respect to plane B. Preferably, three sensors 53 are arranged on the left and right, regularly spaced from one another in the circumferential direction, as in FIG Figure 1 shown. The rope pulley 1 preferably also comprises a side cover 14, which is preferably arranged with respect to the axis of rotation 11 along the entire circumferential direction between the first roller body part 2a and the second roller body part 2c and bears against both parts, so that one or two interior spaces 15 are formed within the rope pulley 1 . These interiors 15 are preferably dust-tight and / or watertight to the outside. The cable 101 lies on the surface of the race 3, the cable 101 being able to move back and forth on this surface in the direction of movement C, depending, for example, on forces acting on the cable 101, for example on forces acting on the cable car cabin 40, or depending, for example from the wear of the surface of the raceway 3 facing the cable 101. Figure 9 shows an example of possible rope layers 101a, 101b, 101c, 101d. These rope layers can preferably be determined with a rope pulley 1, as described above, six sensors 53 by calculating from the measured state values Z a derived state value Z _W , which indicates the rope layer perpendicular to the plane B or in the direction of movement C.

Claims (15)

Aerial cableway system (100) comprising a monitoring device (75), a conveying, pulling or supporting rope (101) and a plurality of rope pulleys (1), at least some of the rope pulleys (1) abutting the rope (101), characterized in that at least one of the rope pulleys (1) comprises a sensor (53) for detecting a state variable (Z), a control device (50), an electrical energy source (51) and a wireless transmission device (56), and the sensor (53) via the control device (50) and the wireless transmission device (56) for signal or data transmission is connected to the monitoring device (75). Aerial cableway system according to claim 1, characterized in that the cable pulley (1) as a sensor (53) comprises at least one strain gauge (53c, 53d, 53e) or a force sensor for detecting an elongation of the cable pulley (1) or for detecting one at the other Rope pulley (1) applied force. Aerial cableway system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sensor (53) comprises at least one and preferably at least three strain gauges (53c, 53d, 53e), which detect a radial expansion with respect to an axis of rotation (11) of the cable pulley (1). Aerial cableway system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the rope pulley (1) comprises as sensor (53) a GPS sensor for position detection. Aerial cableway system according to one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that a roller battery (20) comprises a plurality of rope pulleys (1) and that at least two of the rope rollers (1) of the roller battery (20) each have a sensor (53), a control device (50) and a wireless transmission device (56) include. Method for operating an aerial cableway system (100) comprising a conveying, pulling or carrying rope (101) and a plurality of rope pulleys (1), the rope (101) resting on at least some of the rope pulleys (1), characterized in that at least one of the rope pulleys (1) comprises a sensor (53) with which a state variable (Z) of the rope pulley (1) it is detected that the state variable (Z) or a state value (Z _W ) derived therefrom is transmitted wirelessly from the rope pulley (1) to a monitoring device (75), and that the aerial cableway system (100) is dependent on the state variable (Z) or the Status value (Z _W ) is monitored. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that a force acting on the rope pulley (1) is detected as a state variable (Z). A method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the state variable (Z) of a rope pulley (1) arranged on a supporting mast (25) is measured. Method according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the cable pulley (1) has an axis of rotation (11) and that a force acting in the direction of the axis of rotation (11) on the cable pulley (1) or a transverse to the direction of the Seils (101) acting force is recorded as state variable (Z). Method according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterized in that the cable pulley (1) comprises a control unit (50), that the monitoring device (75) provides the control unit (50) with a target value for the state variable (Z) or the state value derived therefrom ( Z _W ) specifies that the state variable (Z) or the state value (Z _W ) derived therefrom is only transmitted from the rope pulley (1) to the monitoring device (75) if the state variable (Z) or the state value derived therefrom ( Z _W ) deviates from the target size. Method according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that a roller battery (20) comprises a plurality of rope rollers (1) each with a sensor (53), each of the sensors (53) as a state variable (Z) at least one acceleration in at least one dimension and preferably in three dimensions measures, and wherein the monitoring device (75) determines mechanical properties of the roller battery (20) from these measured state variables (Z). Method according to one of claims 6 to 11, characterized in that at least some of the rope pulleys (1) each comprise a GPS sensor (57) for detecting the respective rope pulley position (S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ), and that the rope pulley positions ( S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ ) of the monitoring device (75) are transmitted. Cable pulley (1) for an aerial cableway system (100), the cable pulley (1) comprising a running surface (3a) for a conveying, pulling or carrying cable (101), characterized in that the cable pulley (1) has a sensor (53) for detecting a state variable (Z), a control device (50), an electrical energy source (51) and a wireless transmission device (56), and that the sensor (53) via the control device (50) and the wireless transmission device (56) signal or can be transmitted in a data-transmitting manner to a superordinate monitoring device (75). Cable pulley (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the cable pulley (1) comprises at least one strain gauge (53c, 53d, 53e) or a force sensor (53) for detecting a force acting on the cable pulley (1). Cable pulley (1) according to one of Claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the cable pulley (1) comprises a pulley body (2) with an axis of rotation ((11), as well as with a first pulley body part (2a) and a second pulley body part (2c) , The first and the second roller body part (2a, 2c) have a different diameter, the first and the second roller body part (2a, 2c) being connected to one another via a connecting web (2b), and the sensor (53) as the state variable ( Z) Detects properties of the connecting web (2b), the sensor (53) being connected in particular to the connecting web (2b).

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